Gameweek 21: Gvardiol Out for Months, Bruno Doubt, and Newcastle's Must-Have

Welcome back to your daily FPL fix! With Gameweek 21 fast approaching, we're cutting through the noise to bring you the essential injury updates, transfer targets, and tactical insights you need to maximize your points this week. Let's dive straight into the action.

Manchester City's Defensive Crisis: Josko Gvardiol has been ruled out for months with a leg fracture sustained in City's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. This creates a massive defensive hole as Pep Guardiola's side prepare to face Brighton on Wednesday.

Bruno Fernandes Doubt: The Portuguese midfielder is a major doubt for Manchester United's trip to Burnley with a hamstring problem. According to Ruben Amorim, Bruno has just a 50% chance of featuring. With 11.4% ownership and impressive attacking returns this season, this is a significant concern for FPL managers.

Brentford's Momentum: The Bees continue their excellent form after hammering Everton 4-2 in Gameweek 20, with midfielder Vitaly Janelt grabbing two assists in that dominant performance.

Newcastle's Defensive Dominance: Eddie Howe's side secured another clean sheet against Crystal Palace, making it five clean sheets from their last six games. They look rock solid heading into Wednesday night's clash with Leeds.

Transfer Activity: 50,000 transfers in

The Brentford midfielder is flying under the radar but delivering consistent returns. Schade played 63 minutes against Everton, grabbing an assist and a clean sheet for 6 points. He now has 6 goals and 3 assists this season, averaging 4.2 points per game.

Key Stat: 6.4 expected points against Sunderland on Wednesday

Verdict: Good option if you need a differential midfielder with excellent fixtures. Brentford's attack is clicking, and Schade is involved in their best moments.

Transfer Activity: 71,000 transfers in

The Manchester United midfielder scored in United's goalless draw at Leeds (note: this refers to his performance, finishing with 9 points including 2 bonus). That brings his season tally to 4 goals and 1 assist despite United's struggles.

Next Fixture: Burnley away on Wednesday (5.8 expected points)

Verdict: Essential if you can afford him. United's new signing is becoming central to their attack, and the fixtures are manageable.

Transfer Activity: 278,000 transfers in - the hottest property in FPL right now!

Bruno Guimaraes scored and kept a clean sheet against Palace for 10 points with double bonus in Gameweek 20. His season stats are exceptional: 7 goals and 4 assists, averaging 5.6 points per game with 106 total points.

Verdict: Essential. If you don't own him, find the money. He's as close to must-have as it gets right now.

Transfer Activity: 82,000 transfers out

The Fulham midfielder scored against Liverpool in their 2-2 draw, picking up 6 points, but he's been inconsistent lately. While his season stats of 6 goals and 6 assists sound impressive, Fulham face Chelsea away on Wednesday, followed by Leeds and Brighton.

Verdict: Sell if you need funds for upgrades, but he's not a disaster hold if you have bigger fires to put out.

Transfer Activity: 187,000 transfers out

Arsenal's defender is hemorrhaging owners after being one of the season's best defensive picks with 8 clean sheets, 2 goals, and 4 assists. Timber blanked against Bournemouth with just 3 points. The bigger concern? Arsenal face Liverpool away on Thursday in a huge title clash.

Verdict: Hold if you have transfer priorities elsewhere, but he's not essential anymore at £6.3m.

Transfer Activity: 54,000 transfers out

Liverpool's midfielder is the most transferred out player despite scoring and grabbing 3 bonus points against Fulham for 10 points in Gameweek 20. The issue? Liverpool face Arsenal away on Thursday, one of the toughest fixtures in the calendar.

Wirtz has 2 goals and 2 assists this season with 6 clean sheets, totaling 68 points.

Verdict: Hold. He's still got quality, and one tough fixture shouldn't trigger a panic sale. Liverpool have great fixtures after Arsenal.

Three low-owned players who could explode this gameweek:

The Brentford midfielder grabbed two assists against Everton, finishing with 11 points including a bonus point. Playing 90 minutes in a rampant Brentford side, he faces Sunderland at home on Wednesday.

Season Stats: 0 goals, 3 assists, 45 total points

Why Consider: Absolute bargain enabler who's contributing regularly in an attacking Brentford team.

Arsenal's captain got an assist and 2 bonus points against Bournemouth for 7 points in Gameweek 20. While his season tally of 1 goal and 3 assists (45 total points) isn't explosive, Arsenal play Liverpool in the game of the week.

Why Consider: If the Gunners win against Liverpool, Ødegaard will be central to it. Differential captain shout for the brave.

Manchester City's midfielder scored against Chelsea for 10 points with 2 bonus in Gameweek 20. He now has 5 goals and 2 assists this season (76 total points), and City face Brighton at home on Wednesday.

Why Consider: At £5.2m, he's premium midfield cover at a budget price.

The Safe Play: Bruno Guimaraes against Leeds at home. Newcastle are defensively solid, Leeds are struggling, and Bruno is involved in everything. His form is exceptional, and the fixture is ideal.

While Wirtz has 6.7 expected points against Arsenal, which is tempting, the safer and more sensible play is Bruno Guimaraes at home to Leeds.

Don't overthink Bruno Fernandes. If he's 50% to play, that's too risky before a Tuesday deadline. Move him out if you own him or wait for team news, but absolutely don't captain him. The uncertainty isn't worth the risk.

That's everything you need for Gameweek 21. Make your moves wisely, trust the data, and good luck!